HP Forum Archive 06

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

32SII vs. 32S Message #1 Posted by Ex-PPC member on 5 Sept 2001, 7:13 a.m. Hi, I've just got a 32SII for my collection, but after reading about it and its earlier incarnation, the 32S, I'm thinking if it's worthwhile to get also a 32S. On one hand, I know the 32SII is supposed to be an upgrade to the 32S, with some more functionality (fractions) and many more functions in the keyboard, and correspondingly simplified menus. On the other hand, I've heard that fractions mode is extremely buggy, and the 32S had a much more elegant, less cluttered keyboard, with just the one shift key, and lots of functionality neatly hidden in menus. I don't know if its display is any better than the 32SII or not. So the question is: is it worthwhile to get a 32S, or it would be redundant in the extreme ? I don't intend to collect every model, just the technical ones I like, so I wouldn't need a 32S if it is deemed too redundant. Any and all opinions welcomed, and thanks in advance.

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #2 Posted by Raymond Hellstern on 5 Sept 2001, 3:03 p.m., in response to message #1 by Ex-PPC member Hi, if you don't need fractions all the time, I'd suggest getting an 32S, because, IMHO, it looks nicer and less nervous not to have too much symbols on the keyboard overlay. BTW: The display of the 32S is very nice. Regards, Raymond

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #3 Posted by Michael Vang on 5 Sept 2001, 5:34 p.m., in response to message #1 by Ex-PPC member In what way is the fractions function buggy?

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #4 Posted by Ron Ross on 5 Sept 2001, 11:09 p.m., in response to message #3 by Michael Vang I believe the problem lies with the resolution of the fractions ie. no smaller than 1/1024 resolution. If you add two fractions with a GCD that is greater than 1024 you will see errors. It is not a major deal, but if you work with odd fractions, your accuracy is limited to that resolution I believe.

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #5 Posted by Michael Vang on 11 Sept 2001, 12:56 a.m., in response to message #4 by Ron Ross I believe the max resolution for the denominator is 4095... There are 3 different modes for the fractions... See page 5-6 of the manual for a description... I find it funny that the manual still refers to the shift keys as "blue" and "orange"... My 32SII has that crappy "pea green" and "light pink" scheme... Still, it's the best calculator available today...

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #6 Posted by Michael Vang on 19 Sept 2001, 5:33 p.m., in response to message #3 by Michael Vang I finally found the answer to the fractions bug issue: http://www.finseth.com/~fin/hpdata/hp32sii.html Look at the bottom for the bug description... I have a new 32SII that gives the correct answer for these 3 situations, so HP must have updated the ROM...

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #7 Posted by Paul Brogger on 6 Sept 2001, 11:07 a.m., in response to message #1 by Ex-PPC member I believe the clutter on the keyboard is a real issue. The 32s is significantly cleaner and less distracting. The fractions feature is the only functional difference that I know of, and I use it so seldom (i.e., never) that it doesn't matter. The digits on the 32sII display are slightly larger and clearer. But the 32s display was already an improvement over some of the other LCD models, and is very good. Being an older model, a 32s will also have a slightly better, higher-quality "feel", overall. The most recent Pioneers have become noticeably tackier (though still worthwhile). Along with the reduced clutter, the elegant sculpting of the letters embossed in the keycaps (compare the x<>y "swap" keys on the two models closely) is enough to make my 32s much-preferred over any 32sII. I keep the 32sII next to the radial arm saw, and the 32s at the office, for what that's worth . . .

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #8 Posted by Ron Ross on 6 Sept 2001, 12:31 p.m., in response to message #7 by Paul Brogger Shame on you! You should get a 12c or 17BII for the shop. An Hp Scientific with RPN is to valuable to abuse like that. You will be SORRY if in twenty years, your other Hp kicks the bucket and you want an Hp scientific, BUUUT NOOO! you abused yours in the sawdust of a shop. Just a word to the wise. 8o)

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #9 Posted by Paul Brogger on 7 Sept 2001, 11:14 a.m., in response to message #8 by Ron Ross Even 'midst the sawdust and shavings, RPN, multiple memories, and good tactile feedback are essential. Besides, the shop calculator is fine. The HP-28S I loaned my high-schooler is the problem! Carried in an over-full backpack, it was repeatedly flexed until most of the pins attaching the keyboard fronts and backs got broken. It's now a loose collection of pieces in a zip-lock baggie on the closet shelf!

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #10 Posted by Ron Ross on 7 Sept 2001, 11:30 a.m., in response to message #9 by Paul Brogger Suggestion, An Hp 48 is much better aside from the large LCD exposure to abuse than an Hp28. The bilfold type case doesn't compete well with books in a book bag. A plain 48G actually costs less (about $40 ebay) than an older 28s and also has a larger library of GAMES (not something I recommend, but the games are supposedly better than Ti's and that will set your young one apart from the Ti flock). Yeah, I understand how when you need trig functions and have a business calc, how that could be frustrating enuff to take a soldering iron to that poor calc. 8o)

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #11 Posted by Ex-PPC member on 7 Sept 2001, 11:52 a.m., in response to message #10 by Ron Ross Hi: Ron Ross wrote: > Yeah, I understand how when you need trig functions and > have a business calc, how that could be frustrating > enuff to take a soldering iron to that poor calc. 8o) Not so. The 12C has programming capabilities enough to perform all trigonometric functions, if needed. And most other trascendental math functions too.

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #12 Posted by Ex-PPC member on 7 Sept 2001, 11:59 a.m., in response to message #10 by Ron Ross Hi: Ron Ross wrote: > Yeah, I understand how when you need trig functions and > have a business calc, how that could be frustrating > enuff to take a soldering iron to that poor calc. 8o) Not so. The 12C has programming capabilities enough to perform all trigonometric functions, if needed. And most other trascendental0 math functions too. Even some non-trivial *board* games !! Anyway, this thread (which I started) was about 32S vs. 32SII, wasnt' it ? :-)

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #13 Posted by Ron Ross on 7 Sept 2001, 12:40 p.m., in response to message #12 by Ex-PPC member Paul has done much R&D on calculators, in fact he has expanded the memory on the hp17 and hp42 to 32K. But Paul almost always uses a business calculator as a guinia pig. I know that, as do most who know Paul or post here. I hope you can recover from my rude behavior.

Re: 32SII vs. 32S Message #14 Posted by Paul Brogger on 7 Sept 2001, 1:22 p.m., in response to message #13 by Ron Ross Mr. Ross has a keen eye for detail. Quoting from my "Pioneer Observational Internals" article (Articles Forum, #5, 4/2000): "Now to me, an algebraic business calculator is just about as useless an item as has ever been created." I'll probably burn in financial hell for my sins . . . And on the high-schooler's backpack calculator: He got REAL motivated, taking summer school, and starting introductory "programming interactive real-time simulations" (read: making video games). As a reward, I bought him an HP-48G+. So we must think alike, in some areas at least . . .

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall